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Published on:

November 6, 2025

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Small businesses

What Is Markup Price and How to Calculate It

When it comes to making money, pricing is vital in business. Markup pricing is very commonly used in nearly every industry. It doesn't matter if your business is a retail location, online shop, or manufacturer, it is helpful to understand markup pricing so that you can price your products in a competitive and profitable manner. In this blog, we will explore what a markup price is, how to calculate a markup price, and what to think about when pricing your products using markup pricing.

What Is Markup Price

Markup price refers to the amount added, within a percentage or fixed slopes, to the cost price of a product to determine its selling price. Markup prices are useful for businesses in covering expenses of operations and ensure profits margins for example in cases of rent, salaries, packaging, and logistics.

Selling Price = Cost Price + Markup

As an example, if a company's cost or manufacturing price is ₹500 and the company expects a 20% markup to be applied, the selling price is ₹600 (₹500 cost price and ₹100 added).

Markup pricing allows a business to remain profitable while offering the product at a competitive price to the market. It also provides the opportunity for a more consistent pricing system regardless of product, which will help businesses that may have hundreds of inventory items to sell. The business will also adjust the markup percent based on demand, market and production costs as necessary.

Refer this: What is MRP under GST and How to Calculate GST on MRP

Formula to Calculate Markup Price

The formula for calculation of markup prices is generally:

Markup (%) = [(Selling Price – Cost Price) / Cost Price] × 100

This formula shows how much percentage increase in the cost price is being added to to get the selling price. It assists businesses in understanding how much extra they are charging per unit in order to generate profit.

Example:

Let’s assume that the cost price of a shirt is ₹800 and it’s sold for ₹1000. Now by applying the formula-

Markup (%) = [(1000 – 800) / 800] × 100 = 25%

This indicates that the item is priced 25% above its cost. Simply put, for each ₹100 in shirt production costs, the seller is making ₹25 in profit before any other costs. If markup is calculated properly, it guarantees that the cost of the item is covered, and that, plus a reasonable profit margin, which is important for survival and growth.

How to Calculate Selling Price Using Markup

If markup percentage is available and need to obtain the selling price, this formula can be considered:

Selling Price = Cost Price × (1 + Markup / 100)

This equation can help ensure you consider cost and margin. It would be helpful for retailers and producers who wish to have a consistent price point across various products. For example, if a product's price ₹1,200, and you want to add a 30% markup:

Selling Price = 1200 × (1 + 30/100) = ₹1,560

Therefore, to apply a 30% markup, you need to charge ₹1,560.

In other words, your profit before all other business expenses: marketing, packaging, fees, logistics. is ₹360 (₹1,560 – ₹1,200) per unit sold.

Why Markup Pricing Matters

1. Guarantees Profitability:

Markup pricing enables businesses to recover all expenses related to operations and production and still maintain a reasonable level of profit. Each sale helps the business recover its costs, as well as grow collectively together.

2. Simplifies Pricing Decisions:

Markup pricing is a straightforward and uncomplicated pricing methodology. The methodology works especially well with small and medium-sized businesses, which can use the fixed markup percentage format to easily determine selling prices without the need for lengthy calculations.

3. Creates Price Consistency:

Through the use of a standard markup across a product line, companies create a consistent set of pricing. In addition, it builds customer confidence, as buyers are comfortable knowing similar ("like") products have been bid fairly and consistently.

4. Changes with the Market:

Markup pricing possesses an inherent ability to change pricing based on conditions, such as inflation, competitive pricing capabilities, and demand. Companies can quickly reduce an existing markup percentage to compete for market share while still providing revenue to cover expenses and protect profit.

Refer this: The Markup Percentage Formula & Why It Matters

Common Mistakes in Markup Calculation

Disregarding hidden costs like shipping or packaging

Excluding the indirect costs such as distribution, packaging, or storage can erode profitability. Always include these expenses when estimating cost price.

Using markup as profit margin incorrectly

People confuse markup with profit margin, creating incorrect pricing. Remember — markup is based on costs, while profit margins use the selling price.

Using the same markup on all products without regard to demand

There is a different level of demand in the market, differing competition levels, and shelf life for each product sold. If you charge incorrectly and price each product according to the same markup percentage, you might find some products priced too high and others priced too low.

Failing to check markup for inflationary conditions or supplier price increases

Market conditions are in constant motion. When the costs of goods increase, but the markup does not, profits fall. Taking the time to always incorporate pricing in your business will keep the price up to date for today's market conditions.

Disregarding other competitors pricing

If you disregard what your competitors charge, it may lead to losing customers or even potential profit. This could also be a balancing act of contemplating both costs and market demand

Refer here: Unable to add Tax % to MRP on my Shopify orders

Markup vs. Profit Margin

While markup and profit margin are closely related, they are not the same.

Basis	Markup	Profit Margin
Definition	Amount added to cost price	Profit as a percentage of selling price
Formula	(Selling Price – Cost Price) / Cost Price × 100	(Selling Price – Cost Price) / Selling Price × 100
Focus	Based on cost	Based on sales
Example	If cost = ₹100, selling = ₹150 → Markup = 50%	Profit Margin = 33.33%

Conclusion

It is important to understand markup pricing in order to maintain profitability and competitiveness in today’s market situation. When businesses understand the proper markup pricing cost percentage, apply the markup pricing consistently over time, and evaluate it when needed, they will make better pricing and business decisions in relation to growth and sustainability.

FAQs

1. What is a wise markup percentage?

An acceptable markup is considered from 20% to 50% depending on the industry and any demand of the product.

2. How is markup different from a profit margin?

Markup is calculated based on cost price, while profit margin is calculated based on selling price.

3. Can markup pricing be applied to all types of industries?

Yes, it can in any type of industry, although retail, manufacturing, and food services have used it more routinely.

4. What does it mean when a markup is too high?

Not being competitively priced could damage sales in the volume being transacted.

5. How often should a business review its markup?

Every quarter if possible or whenever there are changes in cost due to production or supplier costs.

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